Teenage Engineering OP-Z Synthesizer

The OP-Z is perfect for composing deep sequences on the go or simply when you have a spare minute or two. It has hidden depths that are uncovered through playing on and with it. I've created more music on this device in the last three weeks than I have on my other equipment in the last three years. It is simply heaps of fun! You can use it as is, or with a graphical interface on an iPhone or IPad app (don't let the lack of a screen put you off, it's surprisingly intuitive to use even without a screen) - there is currently no android app but I have heard Teenage Engineering is working on one (as well as a desktop application) This thing is small. Really compact. Surprisingly so. Even with my plump fingers I can work with it though :)

A Pocket Powerhouse

After watching YouTube videos about the OP-Z for months, I finally decided to take the plunge. Dynamite comes in small packages... and this little guy is one capable sequencer, sampler, pocket synth / groove box, portable, battery powered monster. You can take it and capture musical ideas anywhere... and even the synth engines here sound punchy and sweet. The OP-Z is truly a pocket powerhouse.Now on to purchasing one of these little monsters. DON'T BUY THESE ON AMAZON! PLEASE! The same vendor sold me 2 of them and both were defective on arrival. I'm still chasing down the $1200 I dropped in the process.Not sure why I didn't go directly to B&H. I certainly do for all of my photography needs, but I sometimes forget to check for music gear. Regardless of the ... MoreAfter watching YouTube videos about the OP-Z for months, I finally decided to take the plunge. Dynamite comes in small packages... and this little guy is one capable sequencer, sampler, pocket synth / groove box, portable, battery powered monster. You can take it and capture musical ideas anywhere... and even the synth engines here sound punchy and sweet. The OP-Z is truly a pocket powerhouse.Now on to purchasing one of these little monsters. DON'T BUY THESE ON AMAZON! PLEASE! The same vendor sold me 2 of them and both were defective on arrival. I'm still chasing down the $1200 I dropped in the process.Not sure why I didn't go directly to B&H. I certainly do for all of my photography needs, but I sometimes forget to check for music gear. Regardless of the product, B&H always delivers. It's a well run and finely tuned machine.

Almost perfect

There's no doubt that TE makes some inspiring machines, and the OPZ has so many good things going for it. It's small, battery powered, works with an app, the sequencer is nuts, and you can change out the sounds/samples to better fit your style. Get a case for it and the OPZ can go with you everywhere. It's also great that you can upgrade it, OPlab module makes the OPZ even better. Te downside is really just the build quality issues it can have. A year into owning the OPZ and a few buttons are having issues, an encoder or two has popped out, but I understand this is also due to the compact nature of it and the necessary choices that were made to make it so small. Either way, it's well worth having one.

Awesome Device

Most fun I’ve had making music in a very long time. Portable with solid synth engines and an unbelievably powerful sequencer. The finish is great and I love the look as well. The speaker is weak so will definitely want to use with headphones. Haven’t even uploaded my own sounds yet because the stock ones have given me plenty to work with. Would definitely recommend for people who like to pick something up and make music instantly

Bit of a learning curve but satisfying piece of gear!

I love this tiny synthesizer/groovebox powerhouse, its light and has a minimal footprint. The lack of a screen creates a slight discomfort at first, but once you get use to the iconography on the OP-Z then it becomes second nature to navigate. It definitely helps to download the app to get a better idea of the interface, because a ton of the true potential is sort of missing just for the lack of screen. To be fair, that is one of the many things that probably keeps the price lower than similar equipment.Once you get over the interface hurdle then you realize this is a tiny beast. Creating beats, melodies, sketches, and even improvising on this device is instant low effort. Its like a little studio sketchbook, you can capture ideas when they hit you and iron them ... MoreI love this tiny synthesizer/groovebox powerhouse, its light and has a minimal footprint. The lack of a screen creates a slight discomfort at first, but once you get use to the iconography on the OP-Z then it becomes second nature to navigate. It definitely helps to download the app to get a better idea of the interface, because a ton of the true potential is sort of missing just for the lack of screen. To be fair, that is one of the many things that probably keeps the price lower than similar equipment.Once you get over the interface hurdle then you realize this is a tiny beast. Creating beats, melodies, sketches, and even improvising on this device is instant low effort. Its like a little studio sketchbook, you can capture ideas when they hit you and iron them out later without having to wait until the next opportunity in the studio. The synth and drum engines have a nice depth to them that its easy to break out of the preset sounds, but even then the presets are pretty nice. You can really switch it up with style and genre, pounding house on one project workflow then droning ambient on another project track.Back to comments on the design because unfortunately I'm a graphic designer, so I get a bit judgy when comparing it to the look of Teenage Engineering's other products. The look is just sort of bland and dirty, the gray finish is actually a sort of marbled effect that looks like you spilled something on it rather than a proper marbling feel. The OP-1 (OG and Field) looks beautiful and clean, Pocket Operators have a sort of nerdy circuitboard aesthetic, but the OP-Z is literally the chilling on the couch with a remote feel. It makes a great device feel cheap. Despite people calling it an upgraded pocket operator or semi-OP-1, it could have leveraged those design languages.Long story short, this device isn't pretty but it makes up for it in sound quality and portability.

Incredible piece of tech, but at a cost

I got my OP-Z a few months ago now, and I absolutely love it. It's incredibly powerful and well designed, with relatively intuitive controls (considering it has no screen). I also love that TE is still adding new features occasionally via software updates.That said, I do question the price tag that comes along with this synth. I recently purchased Andrew Huang's new app flip, which contains a sample sequencer within it. The app is only $10. I am the first to admit that this is an unfair comparison- the OP-Z is so much more than a sampler- but I think it's important to consider cheaper alternatives such as this.Bottom line: I love this thing. I use it almost every day, and once the virus is taken care of I look forward to using the performance features that it has ... MoreI got my OP-Z a few months ago now, and I absolutely love it. It's incredibly powerful and well designed, with relatively intuitive controls (considering it has no screen). I also love that TE is still adding new features occasionally via software updates.That said, I do question the price tag that comes along with this synth. I recently purchased Andrew Huang's new app flip, which contains a sample sequencer within it. The app is only $10. I am the first to admit that this is an unfair comparison- the OP-Z is so much more than a sampler- but I think it's important to consider cheaper alternatives such as this.Bottom line: I love this thing. I use it almost every day, and once the virus is taken care of I look forward to using the performance features that it has as well. I'd highly recommend it whether you're looking to get more into synthesis or you're a long-time synth nerd (as I am).

Incredibly powerful sequencer but not a perfect product

This is a really powerful sequencer that's very easy to get into at first but takes a little bit of work to get the full experience from.I mostly make guitar driven grunge type music and some experimental noise rock so I'm not exactly a synth person and have limited experience with sequencers (only the Korg Volca series and my OP-1). I didn't know what to expect from the OP-Z because it looks like a small OP-1 without a screen and how people use it varies wildly. Having it now for a month or two I can say that this takes the best core parts of the OP-1 synth engines and sampler and puts them into a sequencer that works great for live performance or for just creating full tracks.This thing has a lot of tricks but the focus here is on the sequencing. The step ... MoreThis is a really powerful sequencer that's very easy to get into at first but takes a little bit of work to get the full experience from.I mostly make guitar driven grunge type music and some experimental noise rock so I'm not exactly a synth person and have limited experience with sequencers (only the Korg Volca series and my OP-1). I didn't know what to expect from the OP-Z because it looks like a small OP-1 without a screen and how people use it varies wildly. Having it now for a month or two I can say that this takes the best core parts of the OP-1 synth engines and sampler and puts them into a sequencer that works great for live performance or for just creating full tracks.This thing has a lot of tricks but the focus here is on the sequencing. The step components and spark components allow you to vary any sequence in 14 different ways. The simplest and best feature of the sequencer is the step component that lets you choose a step and tell the sequencer to ignore it every so many steps. So you can create drum fills on a pattern that only get triggered every 4th bar for instance.The sampler is basically the same as the OP-1 but I've not used it much because the design of the unit just doesn't really call me to sample on it. I prefer recording samples elsewhere and using my computer to transfer them to the OP-Z then either chop them on the OP-Z or make other minor edits to the ADSR or something. I actually like using the OP-1 to sample synths and drums that I can then transfer to the OP-Z.The MIDI support on this thing is incredible. You can use it as a host, as a controller, or have it sequence other MIDI devices. I don't have the OPLab module and really don't feel the need for it if you already have another USB host or an audio interface with MIDI support. I love my Volcas for their sound and I use my OP-1 and OP-Z to actually sequence them.My only issue with the OP-Z is that it tends to slightly bow in the middle due to the material it's made of

Premium price for Bad build Quality.

Teenage Engineering are used to overprize shamelessly their products, so one would expect them not to be build with el cheapo bending plastic.Besides this aesthetical issue, the Synth/Groovebox is a really clever piece of equipment and it has very interesting workflows and sounds. More accessible than it seems, only organelle competes (OP-1 is a scam in 2021).

Tiny box of wonders

Got this based on my experience with the TE Op-1, a modern classic. The Z is smaller, more powerful, and a distinctly different instrument to the OP-1. The emphasis here is on performance, and the influence of the Pocket Operators is strong on this. Theres a lot of options and control behind an interface that has a bit of a learning curve. Bear through it, it pays off! The integration to do light controls and Unity to do visuals on an iPhone or iPad is a game changer. Its easy to connect and is the ultimate tool to impress at a house party (sadly no longer in my repertoire). Its pricey and doesnt compare with synths in its price category for synth editing and sound creation, as its really a category of its own. The sequencing, sampling, sound engines, etc. all ... MoreGot this based on my experience with the TE Op-1, a modern classic. The Z is smaller, more powerful, and a distinctly different instrument to the OP-1. The emphasis here is on performance, and the influence of the Pocket Operators is strong on this. Theres a lot of options and control behind an interface that has a bit of a learning curve. Bear through it, it pays off! The integration to do light controls and Unity to do visuals on an iPhone or iPad is a game changer. Its easy to connect and is the ultimate tool to impress at a house party (sadly no longer in my repertoire). Its pricey and doesnt compare with synths in its price category for synth editing and sound creation, as its really a category of its own. The sequencing, sampling, sound engines, etc. all together makes it the ultimate musical tinker tool on the airplane, tour bus, backwoods -- wherever. If history is any indicator, TE will invest in lots of updates that will continue to unlock functionality over time, which is like getting a new instrument every few months. Recommend buying one - put the future of synth workstations in your pocket!

Unbelievable!

I am truly amazed at how much technology is packed into this tiny device. It is the size of a tv remote control, yet it packs in a multitrack sequencer, sampling, light and video controls and so much more.Yes, there is a learning curve, simply because of the number of features it has. Once you get the hang of it, you probably will take it everywhere with you.I own multiple synths, sequencers and groove boxes, this unit I capable of replacing all of them, but even more intriguing is it’s ability to integrate with them and enhance your entire setup.